It has often been said that the beauty of the Capricorn Coast is one of Queensland 's best kept secrets. Situated virtually right on the Tropic of Capricorn it has an idyllic tropical climate with moderate summers and warm sunny winters.

The main centre Yeppoon, population 20,000, is one of the largest and fastest growing coastal communities in the state. Local industries include fishing, pineapples, forestry, and a thriving tourist trade with visitors from all over the world coming to enjoy this unique coastal and island playground.

The Capricorn Coast offers a much sought after alternative to the crowded bustle and jostle of the many 'fast-lane' holiday destinations. The lifestyle and infrastructure are unashamedly 'laid-back'.

There are no high-rise concrete jungles, no traffic jams, and no hard sell. Just a friendly relaxed community and pace of life that leave visitors feeling like they've had a real holiday.

Families in particular are drawn to the wide variety of accommodation packages on offer and more than 40 kilometres of safe beaches.

There are international style resorts like Capricorn International with full resort facilities including fine restaurants, wilderness wetlands, two international competition standard golf courses, and one of the largest pools in the southern hemisphere featuring a man-made beach. As well the coast offers a wide variety of motels including a new 42 unit $40 million dollar 4.5 Star accomodation building called "Echelon" on Yeppoon's main beach , standard holiday units, self-contained apartments, caravan parks, and camping grounds. There's something to suit every taste, budget, and lifestyle.

When it comes to things to see and do the Capricorn Coast really shines. There are national parks, more than thirty sun-soaked islands, and a myriad of attractions both natural and man-made, including the Big Whale, Singing Ship, Tropical Flower Farm, Camel treks, Crocodile farm, fascinating limestone caverns, Koala and Wildlife Sanctuary, and spectacular wetlands with bird and wildlife often compared to Kakadu, and much much more. The Capricorn Coast main area stretches from the pristine creeks and rainforests of Byfield in the north to the picturesque townships of Emu Park and Keppel Sands.

Byfield is a short 40 minute drive north from Yeppoon. As well as its magnificent State forests, national parks and natural attractions it has arts and crafts, devonshire teas, restaurant, native and tropical plant nursery, trail rides, and other activities available.

Rosslyn Bay boat harbour is the hub of the local fishing industry and home port for the many cruise and charter boats that service Great Keppel and the Islands . Along with cruise boat terminals and souvenir shops, there are also accommodation facilities, restaurant, kiosk, boating supplies, fishermen's co-op, and coast guard information and moorings available at the harbour.

The Scenic Highway wends its way along the 16km of spectacular coastline between Yeppoon and Emu Park . The views are superb and there are safe beaches, the Causeway Lakes , tourist attractions, picnic areas, great fishing spots, accommodation and caravan parks to be found along the way.

Emu Park is the coast's second largest centre and site of the famous Singing Ship Monument . It has up to date amenities including hotel, restaurant, accommodation, caravan parks, gift shops and general stores, as well as arts and crafts outlets, historical museum and information centre.

Discover Great Keppel and the Islands .

The history of this picturesque group of Barrier Reef Islands , as far as European man is concerned, began with Captain Cook's famous 1770 voyage of discovery when the bay and islands were named as a tribute to Rear Admiral Keppel.

Aboriginal history goes back much further. Over 45,000 years in fact, according to archaeologists. The tribe which inhabited Great Keppel island were the Wapparaburra. Although small in number, they had a rich cultural and spiritual life with songs, dance and ceremonies distinctly different from the mainland tribes.

Today's voyage of discovery to the Keppels is a relaxed 30 minute jaunt in one of the fast comfortable cruise boats which operate several times weekly from Rosslyn Bay . Great Keppel is the most popular destination and offers a broad range of facilities and accommodation. There is currently one resort "Wapparaburra Haven" catering for both day-trippers and holiday makers, along with a Youth Hostel catering mainly for back-packers and youth groups. Wapparaburra Haven has budget-priced holiday cabins and camping facilities, kiosk, gift shop, licensed restaurant, dive shop, and watersports hire. 

A second Resort Complex on Great Keppel has currently been given "State significance" by the government for a proposed Revitalisation Plan to be lodged by resort owners Tower Holdings Pty.Ltd. and once approved will constitute the most substantial new tourism investment in Australia for over 20 years. In general, the Revitalisation Plan will comprise of a new hotel at Fishermans Beach, a marina, retail shopping and restaurant facilities around the marina, a Greg Norman designed championship golf course, golf country club facility with tennis courts and swimming pools, world class day spa facility, upgrade to the existing airstrip facility and a range of low rise tourism accommodation. The economic and tourism benefits for the local region are expected to be enormous. The project is expected to have a total development cost of $1.15 billion and will inject approximately $145 million per annum in direct tourism revenue locally. Once fully operational, the resort is expected to create 1,400 jobs in the Capricorn Coast region and an average of 410 construction related jobs each year during its 15 year construction period. The substantial economic benefits to all local businesses and the multiplier effect of this investment will be shared throughout the whole Central Queensland region..

Other Great Keppel attractions included gift and shell shops, reef and dive excursions, and kilometres of some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

The Middle Island Underwater Observatory is a unique attraction that provides visitors with an actual window to the wonders of the under water world. Surrounded by natural coral, the area literally teams with marine life of every shape and description, and nearby a sunken wreck provides a haven for fish, sea snakes, turtles and a family of huge cod.

Other Islands in the Keppel Group offer limited facilities as well. Pumpkin Island has self-contained holiday cabins. National Parks Dept. also allow camping and day trips to a number of Islands subject to visitors obtaining the necessary permits.

General

It should be emphasised at this early juncture that there is little if any volatility in the Capricorn Coast property market. Some of the better known tourist hot spots of Queensland, including the Gold Coast, can experience quite a volatile market which to an unwary or inexperienced buyer may result in substantial downturns in property values and subsequent heavy losses of investment monies.

Our coast market has been strong and shown steady increases in values over the yaers. The Coast property market is backed by four major catalysts:

1.The University of Central Queensland based in Rockhampton 2.The well paid coal miners of Central Queensland 3.The Grazing community of Central Queensland (Rockhampton is well know as the Cattle City of Australia) 4.last but not least, a good all year round tourist flow - Southerners in Winter (Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide) and Central Queenslanders in summer.

Central Queensland is the major market area for our property sales with a population of approximately 200,000 people. The commercial wealth of Central Queensland is well evident when one considers that although it represents approx. 8% of the population of Queensland its export income exceeds one quarter of the states production.

Population growth at the Coast has been around 5% per annum over the past 15 years with the previous three years experiencing approximately 6.5% per annum which is higher than the state and national averages. The Department of local Government and Planning in Brisbane project the Coasts' population to reach 35000 in the year 2011.

Surprisingly, the demographic break down records a much higher percentage increase in the years 1 to 40 than in the 40 plus years bracket. The Coast is therefore attracting the young family types more so than the retired couples. Our lack of an upmarket retirement village is possibly a strong contributing factor in this imbalance and accordingly is well worth the serious consideration of some venture capital in catering for our elderly people.

Property Investment at the Coast largely identifies to the housing-unit sector with lesser activity in the commercial and industrial market. As in most areas the bulk of investment is in the $350,000 to $550,000 bracket with new low set 4 Bedroom brick dwellings featuring in sales.

Breakdown in Sales Records -

Land Seaview Blocks $220,000 plus, Non Seaview Blocks $150,000 plus

Homes (new) Seaview Brick or Timber 4 BDR $500,000 plus, Non Seaview Brick or Timber 3 BDR $400,000 plus

Homes (older style) Seaview (Part Brick, Timber, Fibro) $450,000 plus, Non Seaview (Part Brick, Timber, Fibro) $300,000 plus

Quality Homes, Seaviews $550,000 to $2,500,000.

Waterfront properties have showed exceptional capital growth in the area with some properties sales exceeding $2.5 Million Dollars.

Quality Executive Units $500,000 to $900,000.There are of course exceptions with some smallish (bedsitter) seaview units selling around $200,000 upwards.

House/unit rentals average around 5% return on purchase price. Average rental is approximately $280 per week. The Bulk of rental homes are let unfurnished with the reverse situation for units and flats.

Commercial Investment

Commercial office rentals are geared to approximately $250 per m2 per annum. Quality main street shops will attract rents from $2000 to $4000 per month for areas of 80 to 100 m2 thus giving a slightly higher return on investment. Variation of course depending on location, size and standard of shops or offices.

Development Land

With 20 kilometres of developed Coastline, commonly referred to as a ribbon style of development, there are many attractive parcels of seaview and fringing the beaches - say half to one kilometre westwards of the ocean. The topography of the Capricorn Coast sees the hills rolling down to the beaches which affords most developments with stupendous ocean and island views. Price vary according to location with prime raw land selling for approximately $50,000 per house lot undeveloped of approximately 750 m2 or 8000 ft2. Town water, sewerage and other services are available to the bulk of the coast.

Conclusion

All in all the coast is seen as having much appeal not only for investment but also for its lifestyle. It has three secondary schools two of which are Boarding Colleges, two hospitals - one new public and one private, a large modern university 20 minutes drive away and very friendly hospitable people who welcome our visitors with warmth and kindness. Over half our current population identify to the "visitor" category who decided the warmth and beauty was too good to leave. Please drop in and test the water for yourself … you won't be disappointed.

Regards,

Jared and Brian Hooper.